Bruce Tucker - Stages of team development

Question 1

What are the stages & what’s to note?

Answer 1

1. Forming
2. Storming
3. Norming
4. Performing
5. Adjournment

Not all teams will move through the 5 stages - they may get stuck.

All teams different - will develop at different speeds.

If change is experienced may return to an earlier stage.

Storming can be uncomfortable but us necessary to become high performing.

Question 2

Stage 1 - Forming

Answer 2

Team assembled & tasks allocated.
No trust yet, so everyone acts independently.
May not be clear what objective is yet.

Leadership behaviour
- time spent on planning
- establishing the purpose of the team
- provide structure & direction
- collect information
- encourage team to bend
- provide support & reassurance in uncertainty
- set ground rules

Question 3

Stage 2 - Storming

Answer 3

Can be uncomfortable
Getting to know each other and the task
Develop ideas and challenge each other

Leadership behaviour
- continue to provide structure and direction
- keep the team task focused
- enable constructive dialogue / avoid it becoming destructive
- too much concensus can lead to compromise and may be less effective
- Reinforce roles and norms

Question 4

Stage 3 - Norming

Answer 4

See more harmonious working practises

Team agreeing on rules & values

More cohesive - trust

Leadership behaviours
- step back as individuals take greater responsibility
- build team spirit
- look to enhance procedures & working relationships
- encourage co-operation
- ensure team don’t become complacent or lose creative edge or drive

Question 5

Stage 4 - Performing

Answer 5

High performance & maturity
Team working well together
High levels of trust, openness, independence, confidence and competence

Leadership behaviours
- Give team members room to perform
- Adopt a collaborative approach
- Takes hands off, strategic view
- Provide feedback & develop individuals as required
- Provide support & contribute to joint problem solving

Question 6

Stage 5 - Adjourning

Answer 6

Team disbands
Closure
Completing task & moving on

Leadership behaviours
- Ensure orderly closure of task
- Celebrate success
- Review learning
- Prepare team members for uncertainty of ‘where next?’